Driving under the influence is a crime in Florida and every other state in the US. If you get pulled over and are arrested with drunk driving, the police will search you before sending you to jail where you’ll be booked. They will then tow your car away. Under some circumstances, you may be freed from jail a few hours following your arrest, like “on your recognizance” or when your post bail. But sometimes, you may have to request the judge to release you at your first court hearing.
This can be very scaring and confusing; however, there are some things that you can do to help improve the situation. So, what are you supposed to do after a DUI arrest in Winter Park?
Take the chemical test
Taking a chemical test is a requirement in Winter Park, and punishable by law if refused. Since you don’t want to add to your charges, it’s best to corporate and take the chemical test. This test shows a range of information, including your blood alcohol level at the time of arrest. It’s this level that the police use to gauge the level of alcohol in your blood.
Call a DUI lawyer
As soon as you are allowed to use the phone, you should call a Winter Park DUI lawyer. A lawyer is better placed to give you advice regarding what to do in the situation you are in. Remember, anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. And since you are not involved in drunk driving case every other day, it can be difficult to know what to say and what not to say, so you don’t end up implicating yourself. In addition to helping you understand your rights; your lawyer will make full use of discovery, keep track of legal deadlines and filings and also negotiate on your behalf.
Post Bail
You can post bail following your arrest. Although many people are released without bail, some situations may require the help of a bondsman (whom you’ll pay), before they post bail for you. This will cost you money, but it cannot be compared to how much you’ll pay for bail to the court. Often, the bail bondsman guarantees that you’ll appear in the hearings – and will come looking for you if you don’t show up.
Request a DMV hearing
Following your arrest, you have a timeline (often ten days) to request for a DMV hearing. It’s in this hearing that you’ll know whether you get to keep your driver’s license or not. If your lawyer doesn’t make a formal request for a DMV hearing, your license will be suspended, automatically.
Get ready for your arraignment
This is where you enter your plea. You should not please guilty – not even when the situation seems to point otherwise. There is still a possibility that you could win your DUI case. But you should make sure that you have an experienced DUI lawyer working for you. A not guilty plea will give you a jury trial, during which your lawyer will prove that you were not driving while drunk, or challenge the case’s merits in another way.
